Timer



March 24, 925. 1,530,941

F. C. HIGGINS ET AL TIMER Filed Jan. 7, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 attnumq' Mu h 24. 1925. 1,530,941

' F. C. HIGGINS ET AL TIMI-JR Filed Jan. '7, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 lill u 4 j'rederickl. fl'i William 11.51511 STATES FREDERICK G. HIGGINS AND WILLIAM G. BALL, 0F

MGDA'VID, FLORIDA.

TIMER.

Application filed January 7, 1921.

To all whom 2'25 may con-0cm:

Be it known that we, Fnnnnnrcn 0. Hrsems and TILLIAM C. BALL; citizens of the United States, residing at McDavid, in the county of Escambia and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Timers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to timers or distributors utilized for internal combustion engines of the multiple cylinder type, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a timer of novel construction, in which a minimum number of parts are utilized, and which parts are so constructed and arranged in such a manner in relation to each other, that practically no wear occurs thereon, with the exception of the timer brush, which is replaceable, thereby insuring the longevity of the timer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved timer in which the contact segments and the timer brushes ca be readily exposed for cleaning or for replacement, without the removal of the entire timer or body thereof from the engine.

A further object f the invention is to provide a novel means for connecting the primary wires and the spark retarding and advancing rod to the timer bOC y, so that the length of the wires and rod can be materially decreased, and so that the wires will be prevented from becoming accidentally displaced or tangled during the rocking movement of the timer body, the construction of the timer being such as to permit the wires to be led to their respective terminals in such a manner as to insure the keeping of the same in a clean condition, and thereby preventing the rotting of the insulation and the short circuiting of the wires.

it still further object of the invention is to provide an improved timer or distributor of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand formation of parts, as will be iereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanyi ng drawings, forminga part of this specin'cation, 1- winch drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an internal Serial No. 435,679.

combustion engine showing the improved timer or distributor connected thereto in operative position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the timer with the cover or cap removed therefrom, portions of the timer body being shown in section so as to clearly illustrate the sockets for the reception of the inner terminals of the primary wires.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the improved timer.

Figure 4: is a top plan view of the improved timer, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section through the lower portion of the timer body illustrating the means utilized for connecting the timer arm to the timer shaft, and for holding the timer body in position on the crank case. 7

Referring to the drawings in detail,wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates the improved timer, and B, the internal combustion engine of the multiple cylinder type, with which it is associated.

The engine B may be of any style or make and forms no part of the invention, but has merely been shown for the purpose of illustrating the operation or use of the improved timer or distributor A. The engine B as shown includes the usual crank case 10, the cylinders 11, the valve and timer gear case 12, the crank case oil filling spout 13, and the breather cap 14 therefor.

The improved timer A includes a body C, the cap D, and the revolving contact or timer arm E which is carried by the timer shaft 15 of the internal combustion engine.

The main body C of the improved timer A includes a disc shaped base plate 20 and a radially extending arm 21. The disc shaped base plate 20 and the arm 21 are preferably formed of suitable insulating material, such as hard rubber, fiber or the like, and the arm 21 is formed relatively wide so as to accommodate all of the lead wires a3 for the primary wires of the ignition circuit 24. The outer face of the disc shaped base plate 20 is provided with a plurality of segmental contacts 25, which are arranged in equidistantly spaced annular formation and conform to the number of primary wires 2% and the cylinders of the engines. These 110 contacts 25 are embedded in the disc 20 in any preferred manner and the lead wires extend therefrom outwardly through the arm 21 to suitable metallic sockets 26. These sockets 26 extend inwardly from the upper outer end of the arm 21 and are adapted to receive the metallic plugs 27 formed on the inner ends of the primary wires 24.

By this construction, it can be seen that the primary wires which are insulated in the ordinary manner can be readily connected or disconnected from the timer or distributor. The leads 23 may be embedded in the body C at the time of the moulding or forming thereof, or placed therein in any other preferred manner. The arm 21 at its upper inner edge is provide-d with an eye 28, which carries a suitable bearing 29 for the inner end of the spark retarding and advancing rod 30, which is connected thereto by means of a suitable bolt or pin 31. Owing to the manner in which the timer is connected to the gear housing 12, the length of the rod 30 can be considerably decreased, thereby resulting in a consioerable saving of material. The disc shaped base 20 is provided with an axial opening for the reception of the timer shaft 15, which projects outwardly from the gear casing 12 in the usual manner. The inner face of the disc shaped body 20 is provided with an annular relatively broad flange 33 and if so desired, a wear ring formed of suitable metal or the like 3% may be placed around the flange for bearing engagement with the outer face of the gear housing 12.

The outer face of the base 20 is provided with an annular flange 35 which is formed relatively narrow and extends in concentric relation to the axial opening 32. This flange 35 is adapted to hold the cap D in place which is utilized for preventing the access of dirt and the like onto the segmental contacts 35 and the revolving contact arms E.

The cap D is preferably formed from li ht sheet metal or the like, and includes the outer cylindrical side wall 37 which is adapted to fit around the flange 35 and the circular struck out outer wall 38. The central portion of the top wall 38 is provided with adepressed portion 39 which is adapted to receive the inner end of the relatively strong leaf spring l0 which is carried in the usual manner as at 41 by the oil filling spout 13 for the crank case, In order to prevent relative rotary movement between the cap D and the body B, the walls of the cap are provided with inwardly extending diametrically opposed lugs 37, which fit in recesses o0 formed in the base plate 20. The leaf spring 10 is of the usual construction, for holding the usual type of timer against accidental displacement.

The revolving timer arm is also of the usual construction, and includes a hub 4 2 which is keyed or otherwise secured as at as to the extreme outer end of the timer shaft 15. The hub 42 carries the radially extending arm 4-4:, the outer end of which carries the housing -15 for slidably receiving the contact 16 which may be made of any preferred electric conducting material, such as carbon or the like. The cont-act 46 is normally urged into engagement with the segmental contacts 25, by means of an e:; pansion coil spring 17 which is arranged in the housing and bears against the inner face of the contacts 16.

The timer shaft 15 is rotated in the usual manner and the arm E operated therewith as in the usual construction, and the brush or contact 46 riding over the segmental contacts 25 opens and closes the circuits through the primary wires as in the usual construction.

Owing to the direction in which the improved timer A extends, and the formation of the same, the length of the primary wires 12 may be considerably decreased, and an insulating cleat or block 50 is secured to the upper end of the cylinder head, as at 51 for the reception of the primary wires, and this cleat or block holds the wires away from the breather cap 14, and carries the wires on the opposite side of the engine from the breather cap. This is adistinct improvement, as in the usual construction, the wires 24: are led over the breather cap 1 1 and the vapor arising therefrom saturates the insulation of the wires and rots the same causing the short circuiting thereof. This makes the replacement of the wires at clifferent intervals essential, and in our improved timer the wires will practically last the same length of time as the engine and timer. It can be seen that when the spark advancing and retarding rod 30 is operated, the body C will be rocked so as to change the position of the segmental contacts 25 in relation to the timer brush or contact 46.

Owing to the fact that the contacts 25 are carried by the outer face of the body 0, it is merely necessary to remove the cap D when it is desired to clean the same, and this construction also permits the easy replacing of the brush or contact 46, when the same becomes worn.

Owing to the construction of the improved timer, it can be seen that the only part of the device, which is subjected to wear, is the brush or contact 46, which as stated, can be readily replaced at a very small expense.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention; but,

We claim:

A timer comprising a fiat body of insulating material and having a disc shaped head having a center openin and a side arm extending radially from said head, an annular flange eXtendin from the outer face of said head, terminals embedded in the head and exposed at the outer face about the opening Within the confines of the annular flange, conductor receiving sockets embedded in the outer end portion of said arm, conductors extending from said sockets through the arm into the head and joined to said terminals, a wear resisting ring about the inner end portion of said disc shaped head having its rear face flush With the inner face of the head, a shaft engaging sleeve rotatably fitting in the opening of said head and having a radially extending arm, a socket carried by said arm and having a closed outer end and an open inner end, a terminal engaging brush in said socket and spring pressed through its open end for tight engagement with said terminals as said sleeve rotates, and a cap fitting about said flange and held against r0- tation upon the head.

FREDERICK C. HIGGINS.

lVILLIAM C. BALL. 

